The Rule of Four

Unabridged
Author: Ian Caldwell , Dustin Thomason
Narrator: Jeff Woodman
Genres: Fiction, Suspense
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date: September 2004
Length: 13 hours
Ratings:
Formats:
  • CD
  • WMA
Abridged
Author: Ian Caldwell , Dustin Thomason
Narrator: Josh Hamilton
Genres: Fiction
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date: May 2004
Length: 6 hours
Ratings:
  • Book Rating: 2.5/5
Formats:
  • CD

Other Options

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Overview

A mysterious coded manuscript, a violent Ivy League murder, and the secrets of a Renaissance prince collide in a labyrinth of betrayal, madness, and genius.

THE RULE OF FOUR

Princeton. Good Friday, 1999. On the eve of graduation, two students are a hairsbreadth from solving the mysteries of the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili. Famous for its hypnotic power over those who study it, the five-hundred-year-old Hypnerotomachia may finally reveal its secrets -- to Tom Sullivan, whose father was obsessed with the book, and Paul Harris, whose future depends on it. As the deadline looms, research has stalled -- until an ancient diary surfaces. What Tom and Paul discover inside shocks even them: proof that the location of a hidden crypt has been ciphered within the pages of the obscure Renaissance text.

Armed with this final clue, the two friends delve into the bizarre world of the Hypnerotomachia -- a world of forgotten erudition, strange sexual appetites, and terrible violence. But just as they begin to realize the magnitude of their discovery, Princeton's snowy campus is rocked: a longtime student of the book is murdered, shot dead in the hushed halls of the history department.

A tale of timeless intrigue, dazzling scholarship, and great imaginative power, The Rule of Four is the story of a young man divided between the future's promise and the past's allure, guided only by friendship and love.

Selected Reviews

rule of four

by Anonymous
  • Book Rating: 2/5

Screams for you to multitask!

by Anonymous
  • Book Rating: 3/5

More...

Read All 14

Reviews (14)

rule of four

Written by Anonymous on June 24th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 2/5

This book is carefully and intelligently written but for so little reason;the point is lost on me. Dont bother!!!

Screams for you to multitask!

Written by Anonymous on August 2nd, 2006

  • Book Rating: 3/5

The plot was interesting enough that I wanted to keep listening. But so padded--attempting to develop two dimensional characters, describing anything from a snowflake on a tuxedo to sandwich board "Wet Floor" sign or philosophying about a tree in a field--that I had to listen to it while doing something else (cleaning, cooking, etc.)or I would've given up on it. The Rule of Four was like the little girl with the curl on her forehead. When good, it was very good. But when bad, it was horrid. This book makes you itch to READ it--only so you can skim!

Rule 1: skip this book!

Written by ML on July 26th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 2/5

I was very disappointed. If you are looking for something like DaVinci or such, skip this book! The best way to descibe it is to take Dan Brown, beat him over the head until he's got the IQ of 80 and then let him write a book and you'll have The Rule of Four. Don't waste your time.

EXCRUCIATING!

Written by Anonymous on October 10th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 1/5

This was a complete waste of time. I kept with it, hoping that at least one cd would wow me, but no: I was bored and annoyed spitless. This book has a script feel to it, as if the writers intended it to be a movie. It is completely filled with useless descriptions of snowflakes, library smells, and one entire cd is devoted to describing a party that really does not have much if any baring on the Hypnerotomachia - which once you get to this point you will have forgotten was the reason you rented the title. If I could I would give this minus points.

Great book for listening on the road

Written by John McCole on October 8th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 5/5

This book has so many layers. You can read/listen in many ways. Engrossing, challenging, fun, and just plain entertaining. Great characters, interesting background, good setup, and wonderful resolution. A thinking person's book, but don't be cowarded, most will like this book.

the rule of four

Written by Luis Oliver on October 4th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 1/5

Don't bother. this is longwinded, vapid, insipid garbage with a mystery as facinating as watching dough rise.

Rule of Four

Written by Daparoye from Orange, CA on September 15th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 3/5

Okay, the book is long. I mean that in the explaining every little lamp shade color and size of tables in the room kind of long. I did enjoy this book and was amazed that the book referred to in it is real. I liked most of the characters and the reader was truly wonderful. Unfortunately, I found my mind wandering as I listened to explanation after explanation of the smallest detail. You could kind of guess where it was headed before it got there but it was overall good and if you'd like to learn more about Princeton and its history you will enjoy it.

Loved It!

Written by Anonymous from eden praire, MN on August 20th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 4/5

A wonderful summer "read"! The characters are well developed...you find yourself caring about them and their problems. I just wish I'd been listening to this while on a long road trip...I wouldn't feel bad about passing time sitting in my car!

Great Book -- Spellbinding

Written by Marilou McClung from Sandyville, WV on August 11th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 5/5

This is a great book -- I wanted to listen to it longer than I had available. The characters are well formed and it is interesting.

The Rule Of Four

Written by C. Whiteaker on August 8th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 2/5

If you're a Princeton alumnus then you'll love this book, otherwise what a yawner! Too much pontificating about Princeton and relationships and not enough renaissance and suspense. Perhaps the abridged is better.

Selected Reviews

rule of four

by Anonymous
  • Book Rating: 2/5

Screams for you to multitask!

by Anonymous
  • Book Rating: 3/5

More...

Read All 14

Author Details

Author Details

Thomason, Dustin

"IAN CALDWELL attended Princeton University, where he studied history. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1998. DUSTIN THOMASON attended Harvard University, where he studied anthropology and medicine. He won the Hoopes Prize for undergraduate writing, and graduated in 1998. Thomason also received his MD and MBA from Columbia University in 2003. The two have been friends since they were eight-years-old."